Stripping membranes....

kailamitchell

Just wondering if anyone else had this joyous little procedure done and if it helped anything along?  I am 39 weeks 3ish days, and dilated to a two....doc offered, so I took him up on it.  Now I can't tell if I'm having contractions, cramps, or a little of all of it?  FTM, so I'm irrationally concerned about "missing" when I need to get to the hospital, especially since dilation to this point hasn't been too painful.

A37licia

I have heard a lot of good things, and a lot of bad things (bad as in, ineffective). I personally wouldn't do it before I was very close to 42w, facing an induction. I am uncomfortable doing it before 40w. If I go into labor on my own before then, fine (and I did, twice, at 39w) but I'm not going to get an intervention before 40w, and preferably not until close to 42w.

Does your OB not let you go past 40w?

elle_bee

I did with my DD2 when I was 39w 3d, also had an abdominal massage the same day. She was born the next morning, so not sure which put me into labor. I was signed up for a birth center that wouldn't accept patients past 40w 6d so I was planning to try as many 'natural' induction methods as possible. With DD1 my OB tried it when I was just past my due date but I don't think it worked, she didn't come until 41w. 

If your body is ready I think it helps. 

laceylavallee

I can't offer much help on this because when my OB went to strip my membranes when I was pregnant with my DD, I was already at 4cm!

kateronium

I ended up with bloody show and menstral type cramps that lasted a whole day. I have had it done twice 38 wks 4 days and yesterday 39 wks4 days still only 1 Cm dilated and 50 effaced. And still very pregnant...

flkong

It works if your body is ready to be in labor. It causes the release of prostaglandins from the membranes and these prostins cause contractions. But, if there are no prostins to be released, it's a dud! Just wait for your body to be ready.  I wouldn't have it done until at least halfway through 39 weeks. 

amarissa85

It didn't help me at all. DS still had not appeared a week after the membrane stripping.

LaBellaVida

There will be no mistaken when you are in labor, therefore you will not "miss" when it's time to head to the hospital. trust me!!

BelhurstBride

brandilc84:

There will be no mistaken when you are in labor, therefore you will not "miss" when it's time to head to the hospital. trust me!!

Ditto this.  

alicia023

The MW that I'm seeing now has been very successful in the past with stripping. So much so that when she strips someone she has to call our hospital and let them know so they can be prepared. (Small Town) She says that your body has to have shown some signs of progress before she will strip because if not it will not work. She also says to go walk a lot and have sex and usually within 24-48 hrs you will have the baby. GL! Hope this works for you and don't worry about thinking you might 'miss' labor signs. You will know it!

doodlemonkey22

fklang:

It works if your body is ready to be in labor. It causes the release of prostaglandins from the membranes and these prostins cause contractions. But, if there are no prostins to be released, it's a dud! Just wait for your body to be ready.  I wouldn't have it done until at least halfway through 39 weeks. 

Very true! With my last pregnancy I was facing induction due to Cholestasis (liver bile backs up). That carries a risk of still birth as you approach 39 weeks. So I was scheduled for induction at 38 1/2 weeks, but I tried everything to induce labor naturally about a week before. Had membranes stripped TWICE. Did not work. When I was having it done MW did say that my cervix was still very hard and very long. So we both knew stripping was a long shot. On the other hand, a very good friend of mine had her membrane stripped accidentally at 39 weeks by her OB. Honestly I don't know how that happens accidentally, but that is what the OB was claiming. She went into labor within 48 hours of having that done.

MommyKristin88

I had it done at 39 and 40 weeks with my daughter. I still had to be induced at 41 weeks 1 day.

mrsdkemp

I did with my first two born...nothing for me! Went 7d & 5d overdue

mellieg8582

With my son, I had my membranes stripped twice and I still had to be induced.

SunnyMuffin

I will ask for it on my due date (a check at least) and ask for it to be done if it will be easy.. because if your cervix is closed its going to hurt really bad.

That.Just.Happened

I had it done with DD1 and it did nothing....still had to be induced at 42 weeks.

However, I have a ton of friends who had it done and went into labor within 48 hours. So I say it is definitely worth a try and can't hurt.